VIKINGS: Chapter 1: STEEL AND ICE (Henrik, basket, Oathin)

[DSIGFUSS]

Edgar looks at Orm and shrugs his shoulders.



I think you're friends are in a spot of trouble Orm. We've done all we can for Sigfurd.

[OathinBlood]

"Har, Gilliok, did ya hear what Oddlog called your mother?!" yells Weoulf, before swinging at Oddlog.

[Basketvector]

Init 5; strike 55; dam 1; parry 13
Ingvar tries to double team Oddlog, but as usual his axe glances off the thick son of a bastard.
He's getting cocky, and still using the blunt side of his axe. Despite his lame attack, Ingvar is pretty hard to hit while he's on his feet.

"Lay down before i kill you old man"

[DSIGFUSS]

Oddlog hoots and howls as Ingvar and Weolf pounce on him with their own rage and furious assault. Ingvar catches Oddlog on the side of the head with the blunt end of his axe and it just serves to fuel Oddlog's punches. Weoulf blow soars over Oddlog's head, but it seems his remark about somebody's mother hits home. With Ingvar pinning his right arm, Oddlog makes a feeble attempt to grab for Weoulf's throat with his left. His eyes bulge as he reaches for Weolf but he is too quick and pushes the blow aside.

In a mass of tensing muscle and thrashing limbs the three now twisted warriors fall to the floor, fists flying in every direction.



Got off a me you ruddy cunts!

Then over the roar of the crowd and the crack of a whip comes a sudden silence followed by the deepest most commanding voice any man witch or beast on the Icebreaker had ever heard.



A thousand lashes to the next man who dares move a muscle!

All three men look up to see a sea of vikings, head down in fear and respect, part like the sea to Captain Gunharr as he strides through the crowd. He looks angry and concerned, his eyes wide with concentration.

Will you test me now lads?

[Henrik]

Orm bows his head in respect to their captain. He has trust in Gunnhar's abilities and Orm is certain that the expedition will reach their goal soon.

[OathinBlood]

Weoulf rises, his head bowed respectfully, his eyes on the ground.

[DSIGFUSS]

Oddlog pushes Ingavr off of him and rises, standing next to Weoulf. Ingvar quickly follows suit.

Captain Gunharr looks around the room at all the Vikings.



We're close boys. Close enough to glory I can smell it. We'll be reaching Helluland in just four days, the witch has seen it in the runes. Four days till you get all the blood you can spill and you bunch of savages have to get greedy. Looking for blood amongst your own kin? You can all freeze in Hel

Captain Gunharr turns to the crowd of Vikings and points at the no good bastard Gilliog.

Throw em in the hold Gilliog, then we'll decide who gets the nine tails and who doesn't. I'd bet me beard it will be you Oddlog.

Captain Gunharr holds his hands in the air and adresses his Viking crew.

Back to your stations lads! QWe got some rowing to get done. To Helluland and to glory!

All the Vikings cheer for their beloved Captain Gunharr and then sit back down in their rowing positions. A few of them look over at the combatants with disgust in their eyes and a few with smiles. After all, every good Viking loves a good fight and this crew put on one hell of a show.

[DSIGFUSS]

Osvald, one of Captain Gunharr's closest Lieutenants, points at Orm and regards him with a sort of proud sadness.

Captain Gunharr looks at Osvald and then back to Orm.



So be it! Orm is it? You got yourself a pass! Let's hope Osvald is right about you lad. Come with me.

Captain Gunharr turns and walks back on deck with Osvald right behind him.

Gilliog smiles when the Captain leaves and looks at the group condemned to the hold.



Orm! You heard the Captain! Get moving! As for you... I'll be thinkin' bout whipping the skin from your bones all night. Now move it!

Gilliog cracks the whip again.

Ingvar pick up Sigfurd! He's bleeding all over me decks. Edgar..... Weolf.... bring Hildegarr! I want to keep me an eye on Oddlog. He's got the look of a snake about him. I'll surely be whipping it off him in the morning won't I Oddlog? Move quickly boys. Move it!

[Henrik]

Orm follows the captain, his old bones aching. So they are close to Helluland? That is a relief indeed! Although he is not one to pick a fight for the pleasure of it, the old mariner longs to meet the Hellulanders in battle. Hopefully he will earn his place in Valhalla and perhaps he will meet his beloved again.

[OathinBlood]

Weoulf smiles, partly because of Oddlog's punishment and partly because of the prospect of the end of their trip. Viking though he was, Weoulf was always partial to the land, instead of being confined to the ships, which always smelled of sweat and blood. Also, it had been a while sense he had used his axe...

[Basketvector]

Ingvar brushes himself off and goes back to his rowing station.

"I'll be seeing you again old man" he says to Oddlog, "reeeaal soon."

[DSIGFUSS]

The bastard Gilliog calls to Ingvar.

Oh no you don't lads. It's to the hold with the lot of yah.

He herds Ingvar, Weoulf, Oddlog, Hildegarr and Edgar out of the rowing deck and onto the main deck of the ship.

Oddlog grunts his protests and helps his friend Hildegarr. Edgar , now tangled up with this rough bunch, helps Weolf carry Sigfurd who just begins to regain consciousness. Gilliog doesn't seem to have any sympathy for any of the injured Vikings and more than once he pokes and prods at those helping the wounded to the hold.

On the main deck and out in the open air, the men see a Raven flying just above the main sail. It caws out and seems to be mocking the Vikings being escorted to the hold.

KaCaw! Caw! KaCaw! Caw! KaCaw!
Chapter 2 begins soon.